Most Husky fans know UW basketball player Matthew Bryan-
Amaning for his thunderous dunks and high-flying shot-blocking
ability. But off the court, the 6-foot-9 junior is the epitome of the
UW student-athlete, who, in addition to meeting the rigorous
demands of his sport and his studies, is a big man on campus
and in the community.

Fellow Husky athletes look up to Bryan-Amaning because he
serves as a peer advocate within in the UW's Intercollegiate Athletics
Department. In that role, he and other upperclassman student-
athletes mentor incoming and young student-athletes. It's
just one of the many academic support services the University
provides to its student-athletes.

"We provide advice on how to adjust to school and keep up
with schoolwork, particularly during the season," Bryan-Amaning
says. "We might miss class two days a week when we go on
the road, and it can be easy to fall behind. We want to make sure
they keep up with their schoolwork."

Bryan-Amaning also volunteers in the community with the rest
of his teammates. Coach Lorenzo Romar organizes food drives
and visits to Seattle Children's Hospital, where Bryan-Amaning
loves to play video games or paint T-shirts with ill kids.

"You see how you make a difference in a person's life," he says.
When Bryan-Amaning is done with basketball, he plans to put
his sociology degree to use by running an afterschool program
in an urban area.

"I like working with kids," he explains. "It's important to keep
them off the streets. My mother didn't want me on the streets,
so that's how I got involved in basketball. I just want to continue
that."